Mabett Retractable Ratchet Straps Installed

[Pappamoto]

Just finished installing the @MABETT Retractable Ratchet Straps, so I thought I'd post my take on them.

Installation is very easy. I was concerned that it only attaches to the bed wall on one side of the device. It seems like heavy force could bend the back metal plate, but we will see how that pans out. Since the original tie down is mounted on the opposite side of the device from the mounting to the bed it really seems like any hard pull from using these would be more likely to damage the ratchet because of the increased leverage.

I added washers (none were included) because the mounting slots/holes were only a little smaller than the screw heads. Again, it seemed like a wear/damage potential with heavy use.

Other than the concerns I mentioned, they seem like really useful devices that will greatly help with securing loads in the bed. They look really nice as well. Operation of the latching mechanism was straight forward and convenient for securing items quickly and easily.

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[The Real Maverick]

Are there 4 screws per strap???

 

[notfast]

I've seen similar products floating around for various makes and models. Not sure what folks are valuing the convenience of having ratchet straps already there and ready to use at, but I think the frequently-on-sale-for-$8 ratchet straps at Harbor Freight are hard to beat for tying down anything short of a Harley Davidson.
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-Capacity-1-in-x-15-ft-Ratcheting-Tie-Downs-4-Pack-63094.html

I keep a tool bag full of those straps in the bed. The ratchet mechanisms and the straps are on the thin side and some of them have slightly bent but I haven't broken a strap or lost any cargo, including dirt bikes and smaller motorcycles. I occasionally give them away to people I see moving fridges or couches or who lost or broke their straps at the off road park.

 

[Pappamoto]

Are there 4 screws per strap???

There are only 2 on one side that actually hold the device to the bed wall. That's why it was a concerning design to me. It would've been stronger, for example, to bolt a plate to those 2 bolt points from the old tie down and then secure the device to that plate with 4 bolts - one in each corner.

 

[Daveinva]

I've seen similar products floating around for various makes and models. Not sure what folks are valuing the convenience of having ratchet straps already there and ready to use at, but I think the frequently-on-sale-for-$8 ratchet straps at Harbor Freight are hard to beat for tying down anything short of a Harley Davidson.
https://www.harborfreight.com/400-lb-Capacity-1-in-x-15-ft-Ratcheting-Tie-Downs-4-Pack-63094.html

I keep a tool bag full of those straps in the bed. The ratchet mechanisms and the straps are on the thin side and some of them have slightly bent but I haven't broken a strap or lost any cargo, including dirt bikes and smaller motorcycles. I occasionally give them away to people I see moving fridges or couches or who lost or broke their straps at the off road park.

The plus is you don't have to keep a tool bag of straps in the bed.

Meanwhile these are always out of the way, ready for light duty for the occasional box or bicycle. It all comes down to what an owner values more.

 

[Tia Susie]

Thank you for sharing. You did a very nice job. I appreciate it.

 

[Cougar70]

There are only 2 on one side that actually hold the device to the bed wall. That's why it was a concerning design to me. It would've been stronger, for example, to bolt a plate to those 2 bolt points from the old tie down and then secure the device to that plate with 4 bolts - one in each corner.

But isn't there a third attaching point that goes under the end of the rail?

I just watched a video that shows two bolts on one side and another on the other side. If with a rail it goes under the end and without the rail it just bolts to the side of the bed.

 

[Pappamoto]

But isn't there a third attaching point that goes under the end of the rail?

I just watched a video that shows two bolts on one side and another on the other side. If with a rail it goes under the end and without the rail it just bolts to the side of the bed.

That wasn't in with the instructions. Can you post a link to video?

 

[rk06382]

But isn't there a third attaching point that goes under the end of the rail?

I just watched a video that shows two bolts on one side and another on the other side. If with a rail it goes under the end and without the rail it just bolts to the side of the bed.

That wasn't in with the instructions. Can you post a link to video?

It was a Maxzina Strap set no longer available.

 

[Pappamoto]

It was a Maxzina Strap set no longer available.

Yeah, that would've made the Mabett one better I think, but no it's a totally different mounting design.

 

[Phimosis]

The plus is you don't have to keep a tool bag of straps in the bed.

Meanwhile these are always out of the way, ready for light duty for the occasional box or bicycle. It all comes down to what an owner values more.

The plus is that you don’t have to keep a tool bag of straps in the bed.

The minus is that they:
1) Are taking up space in your bed 100% of the time.

2) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, those items will damage these straps that are always sticking out into the bed.

3) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, the mounting frames of these straps will damage your cargo.

4) if you carry large or heavy cargo, you still need to bring a bag of straps with you because these won’t handle any substantial load.

5) Because of the fixed mounting position, these straps only work when attaching to an item transversely. If you try tightening a ratchet strap without doing a “straight pull”, the strap will bind up on the drum. This will prevent you from using these at any angle other than straight sideways, across the bed.

6) There’s no straps in the front. You need a ratchet strap at every corner to truly secure an object.

Overall, I would find that a 50 foot bundle of paracord in the side pocket of the bed would be 20x as useful as these straps, for securing lightweight items.

Also, I transport my bike in the bed of my Maverick 2-3x a week. I strap it down with Velcro straps that take like 2 seconds to attach. Using ratchet straps would slow me down, without adding any additional security, while adding in a hard piece of metal that would increase the risk of chipping the paint on my bike.

This product is a hard “no” for me.

 

[rk06382]

I have tried a new slant on the Mabett Retractable Ratchet Straps.
1> After purchasing Nuts, washers & bolts from Lowes:

2> I mounted them horizon:

3> Drivers side pointed forward & looped off of OEM cleat to cross the bed.

4> Passenger side faced to tailgate to secure any load too long for the bed.

I am still undecided on the mounted vs retractable ratchet straps in a bag.

The plus is that you don’t have to keep a tool bag of straps in the bed.

The minus is that they:
1) Are taking up space in your bed 100% of the time.

2) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, those items will damage these straps that are always sticking out into the bed.

3) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, the mounting frames of these straps will damage your cargo.

4) if you carry large or heavy cargo, you still need to bring a bag of straps with you because these won’t handle any substantial load.

5) Because of the fixed mounting position, these straps only work when attaching to an item transversely. If you try tightening a ratchet strap without doing a “straight pull”, the strap will bind up on the drum. This will prevent you from using these at any angle other than straight sideways, across the bed.

6) There’s no straps in the front. You need a ratchet strap at every corner to truly secure an object.

Overall, I would find that a 50 foot bundle of paracord in the side pocket of the bed would be 20x as useful as these straps, for securing lightweight items.

Also, I transport my bike in the bed of my Maverick 2-3x a week. I strap it down with Velcro straps that take like 2 seconds to attach. Using ratchet straps would slow me down, without adding any additional security, while adding in a hard piece of metal that would increase the risk of chipping the paint on my bike.

This product is a hard “no” for me.

 

[notfast]

The plus is that you don’t have to keep a tool bag of straps in the bed.

The minus is that they:
1) Are taking up space in your bed 100% of the time.

2) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, those items will damage these straps that are always sticking out into the bed.

3) If you carry large and heavy items in your bed, the mounting frames of these straps will damage your cargo.

4) if you carry large or heavy cargo, you still need to bring a bag of straps with you because these won’t handle any substantial load.

5) Because of the fixed mounting position, these straps only work when attaching to an item transversely. If you try tightening a ratchet strap without doing a “straight pull”, the strap will bind up on the drum. This will prevent you from using these at any angle other than straight sideways, across the bed.

6) There’s no straps in the front. You need a ratchet strap at every corner to truly secure an object.

Overall, I would find that a 50 foot bundle of paracord in the side pocket of the bed would be 20x as useful as these straps, for securing lightweight items.

Also, I transport my bike in the bed of my Maverick 2-3x a week. I strap it down with Velcro straps that take like 2 seconds to attach. Using ratchet straps would slow me down, without adding any additional security, while adding in a hard piece of metal that would increase the risk of chipping the paint on my bike.

This product is a hard “no” for me.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Don't get me wrong, it looks like a decent product, but for a very niche market of users. To add on...

7. The cost. The Harbor Freight straps are $2 each compared to $40 each, or 1,900% more expensive for a product that is functionally pretty similar. Break a $2 strap? No worries, grab another one and move on. Break a $40 strap? A bit disappointing, especially if you don't have spares because four Mabett straps are $160 whereas four Harbor Freight straps are $8

8. The lack of universal compatibility. Need to loan a couple straps to a buddy? Well, unless the other person has a Maverick and a socket wrench, not going to happen.

9. Them being hard-mounted is a pro as well as a con. Yes they are always at the ready and not taking up space on the bed floor, but they also protrude into the cargo box area and aren't easily removed. Especially with a smaller truck, I've been in situations were I needed every inch to load boxes, totes, appliances, or other bulky items. Moving a tool bag of straps around? Takes like...10 seconds to drop it on the ground, then throw it back on top of whatever I loaded in the truck, compared to several minutes to unbolt the straps with a socket wrench.

Overall, I put this product solidly in the "just because it exists doesn't mean you need it" category.

 

[Codestar7]

Just finished installing the @MABETT Retractable Ratchet Straps, so I thought I'd post my take on them.

Installation is very easy. I was concerned that it only attaches to the bed wall on one side of the device. It seems like heavy force could bend the back metal plate, but we will see how that pans out. Since the original tie down is mounted on the opposite side of the device from the mounting to the bed it really seems like any hard pull from using these would be more likely to damage the ratchet because of the increased leverage.

I added washers (none were included) because the mounting slots/holes were only a little smaller than the screw heads. Again, it seemed like a wear/damage potential with heavy use.

Other than the concerns I mentioned, they seem like really useful devices that will greatly help with securing loads in the bed. They look really nice as well. Operation of the latching mechanism was straight forward and convenient for securing items quickly and easily.

Love the carpeted bed!

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